MARIETTA — The mother of a man accused of killing a Sandy Springs man at a Marietta bar pleaded for forgiveness Thursday, but a magistrate judge decided the charges will stick. He also denied bond.

“I am so sorry that this happened,” said Louisa Hampton, the mother of 48-year-old Joseph Ricky Hampton, one of three suspects in the shooting death of Tekilum Terrell at Milo’s Bar on April 7 in Marietta.

Joseph Ricky Hampton and his wife, Trina Lesley Chatman, 36, appeared before Cobb Magistrate Court Judge Frank Cox on Thursday. Cox’s job at the probable cause hearing was to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed with charges and whether the two defendants deserved a bond.

Hampton and Chatman were arrested a few days after the early morning incident on April 7 at Milo’s Bar off Garrison Road. They were charged with murder during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault with a weapon.

The third person accused in the case is Hampton’s cousin, 42-year-old Dennis Lee Hampton. He is the alleged shooter and has been charged with aggravated assault, murder, murder during the commission of a crime and possession of a weapon by a felon.

His probable cause and bond hearing is set for Tuesday.

During the hearing before Cox, which lasted about 30 minutes, Marietta Police Detective Jonnie Moeller described what took place that morning and what led to Terrell’s death.

Moeller said during their investigation, and according to multiple witnesses on the scene, Terrell got into an argument with another woman.

Dennis Hampton reportedly intervened in the argument, words were exchanged and a fight broke out.

Chatman stepped in shortly thereafter and struck Terrell in the head with a bottle of grenadine liquor she took from the bar area.

Joseph Hampton jumped into the fight as well and eventually, he, Dennis Hampton and a bouncer at the bar lost balance and fell over during their tussle with Terrell.

Moeller said witnesses told police that Dennis Hampton stood up and while standing over Terrell fired one shot in Terrell’s torso and fled the scene.

The shell casing of a 9 millimeter gun was found on the scene, but the gun was never recovered.

Meanwhile, Chatman and Joseph Hampton continued to attack Terrell until he was outside the bar, where police discovered him bleeding in the parking lot.

Terrell was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta but later died from injuries.

Chatman’s attorney Louis Turchiarelli asked Moeller if his client was aware of Dennis Hampton having a gun.

“She saw the gun on him earlier in the evening at their home,” Moeller replied.

Gary Jones, Joseph Hampton’s attorney, asked the detective why his client was being charged with aggravated assault with a weapon when he was never in possession of a weapon.

Moeller said it was because he was involved in the altercation.

In his final statement to request a dismissal of charges, Turchiarelli told Cox that he didn’t believe his client was involved in the killing, nor did she plan to be involved in a fight that led to Terrell’s death.

“There was no conspiracy,” he said. “My client did not encourage or help. Dennis Hampton chose on his own to kill this man.”

Dismissal was not granted.

“Everything you said is true … but there was a physical attack upon the victim that escalated to a gun being fired,” Cox said. “All three are co-conspirators.”

Joseph Hampton cried like a little girl in court last week! How tough is he now? Obviously, jail life is more than he can handle. How you like that, Joey Boy? Your life is no better than the man you assaulted and contributed to killing. You should get used to jail/prison life, 'cause you may be there for a while. Word of advise, though, you'd better man up: crying in prison will make you a target of unwanted attention.

Tee was a good man. All three of the defendants deserve to pay for taking his life. Further, the owner of the bar, Milo, should pay as well. Ultimately, he was responsible for hiring the so-called "security" person who was the shooter. Close that scuzzy dive bar down! I don't care how many ghetto bbq's Milo serves up for the community. . . he is NOT doing anything good for the community. Milo's is a den for drugs, gambling and other illicit activities. It needs to go!!! RIP Tee Man. We'll miss you and love you forever.

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